A new $16.4m roundabout in rural South Auckland is being hailed by local residents who have raised concerns about a dangerous stretch of road between Pukekohe and Drury for years.
Scott McMahon in February standing on SH22 after at least three serious accidents on road diversions in the area following the start of work on the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency project. Photo: Stephen Forbes / Stuff
The new roadworks, at the intersection of Glenbrook Rd and SH22 in Karaka, are expected to be officially opened by the Minister of Transport Michael Wood on Thursday.
The intersection has been the scene of many serious crashes over the years, with motorists turning across the SH22 and into Glenbrook Rd.
Franklin Local Board chairman Andy Baker said it was great to see the work had finally finished, but it had been a long time coming.
The former police officer said he has seen far too many serious accidents at the intersection.
"I attended at least one fatal accident there when I was in the force," he said.
Baker said the state highway remained one of the most dangerous roads in the country and was still an accident blackspot and more road safety improvements were still needed in the area.
The Drury resident described the project's $16.4m price tag as eye-watering.
"It was a big job and the earthworks involved were massive," he said. "But you can't put a price on people's safety."
He said people in the area who regularly used the road were already saying it's safer.
An aerial photo of the $16.4m roundabout and roadworks at the intersection of Glenbrook Rd and SH22. Photo: Supplied / LDR
But Baker said despite all the growth in the area, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency wasn't funding enough upgrades in Franklin.
He said for most people in the area public transport wasn't a realistic option and the roads were busier than ever.
"For people out here personal vehicles are their only reliable means of transport. There needs to be a more balanced approach."
Local resident Scott McMahon contacted Local Democracy Reporting in February after there had been at least three serious accidents on road diversions in the area following the start of work on the project.
McMahon said the new roundabout was needed and would help reduce the number of crashes in the area.
"The tales of traffic stretching back to the motorway are a bit longer now, but I suppose that's what happens," he said. "But the trucks aren't using the backroads now, which is great."
Pukekohe town centre manager Shawna Coleman said the upgrades were welcome.
"It's future proofing things for the area because it's growing so fast," she said. "So in that sense it's a good thing."
According to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, between January 2015 and December 2019 there were 21 recorded crashes within 400 metres of the intersection of Karaka, Glenbrook and Paerata Roads.
"The new roundabout will make this route safer by reducing speed and eliminating a dangerous turn for large trucks at the existing SH22/Glenbrook Road intersection."
It said the project received $16 million from the National Land Transport Fund and was in line with its Road to Zero road safety strategy. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said it was one of a number of road safety upgrades it had planned for the area.
It said up to 25,000 vehicles a day used SH22 to connect to SH1, and vehicle numbers were increasing as the local population grew.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air